Wait! Did you know we publish a monthly newsletter that you can subscribe to for FREE? Just click the link at the bottom of this post!

Here's what we explore in our September issue:

First, we share our Homewatch News contribution, which is a must-read for burgeoning landlords. If you've recently acquired an income suite or income property, we have some tips for attracting quality tenants and some guidelines for encouraging them to stay! From advertising, to interviewing, to fostering a proactive relationship, what you might think is common sense… isn't! Check it out! Continuing our efforts to share pertinent information that could help enhance your real estate savvy, our two Homewatch News segments were turned into direct mail pieces delivered to 40,000 Toronto households. It's part of our on-going marketing efforts that range from traditional print campaigns like advertising our Innovative Space ad in the Friday Globe and Mail newspaper (for over twenty years), to our social media presence on Facebook, Google+, Instagram and Twitter.

Each month we share the tale of what one of our buyers bought in our Home Of The Month feature. In September, we recount how two first-time buyers with an expanding family came to secure a four-bedroom detached home in the Danforth neighbourhood. This journey is a prime example of what we are seeing more and more of in today's red hot real estate market: the bully offer. Over the past decade, pre-emptive offers have gone from rare occurence to Buying strategy; an extremely competitive market has changed the face of real estate in Toronto, and we are here to guide you through it!

September's installment of our Dear Urbaneer series, entitled, Why Is It So Hard To Buy The House I Want, we respond to a client who is feeling the frustration that is inherent for many searching for a suitable property in the current Toronto real estate market. They write: “Dear urbaneer: We’ve been at this property search for several months, and are beginning to feel extremely frustrated. We’ve really got our hearts set on owning a detached dwelling, and have a plan in place that has been years in the making, including making sacrifices to amass savings for a down payment and spending hours doing research. Despite this, we can’t seem to buy a home. We’ve engaged in and lost out on bidding wars, including a few heartbreakers. And as the months go by, prices just keep getting higher, stressing us out. Even though we are doing everything right- including being patient, we are at the point where it just seems like it’s not fair. I know that sound a little childish, but that is exactly how we feel. Should we keep going on our housing hunt, or should we just accept our apparent fate? Signed, Still Hopeful for Housing“. To answer this very topical, very concerning question, we mined our collective experiences as realtors and homeowners to talk intimidating realities as well as successful buying strategies in such a unique real estate market.

Unsurprisingly, one of our most popular blogs this month was called, The HGTV Effect. After all, who doesn't love watching real estate, renovation, and design gurus work their magic! In this post, we talk about the age of DIY and how the myriad of reality TV shows on specialty channels like HGTV and W  have fostered a renewed sense of 'pride of ownership' and resulted in billions of dollars being spent on home renovations yearly. Give it a read!

Navigating The Committee Of Adjustment For Toronto Real Estate is the latest chapter in Steve's Tales of Tennis Crescent series, which is documenting his ongoing journey from purchasing a 1960's duplex, to renovating and renting the garden suite, to getting his ducks in a row for more major structural renovations (like adding a third floor)! This particular post is a eye-opening reminder that you can't simply pick up a hammer and nails and make any addition or renovation you want to your home; there is a lengthy municipal legal process that needs to be navigated before one can begin transforming – in this case – a tired brick facade into a swell dwell of a Dream Home!

And don't miss the sensational unique urban homes listed for sale and lease for your consideration!

Click HERE to read our September newsletter, brimming with important information!

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And please remember, we are always here to help.

~  steven and the urbaneer team
   we're here to earn your trust, then your business.

Real Estate